Introducing monthly column on Cornell's University Assembly

Members of the 1999-2000 University Assembly are, from left, bottom row: Professor Subrata Mukherjee, Katie Mayo '02, Uzo Asonye '02, Professor Peter Schwartz, Associate Professor Alan Mathios; middle row: Josh Nalpern '01, Matthew Banner '01, Gary Brandt (staff and vice chair), Professor Donald Barr, Cristen Gardner (director, Office of Assemblies), Brian Goodell (staff), Linda Claugherty (staff); top row: Andy Vail (staff), Caroline Salas-Humara '02, Kristen Riley '02 (student clerk), Rong Fan (graduate student), Associate Professor Jeremy Rabkin, Dennis Carlson (graduate student and chair). Missing from photo: Peter Kaskan (graduate student), Dawn Darby (staff) and Professor Marvin Pritts. Robert Barker/University Photography

This column is a new addition to the Cornell Chronicle. The monthly column will report on the activities of the University Assembly (UA). The UA is unique because it brings together undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, employees and faculty to speak on issues relating to the university community. The UA is currently engaged in several issues that are of central interest to students, employees and faculty. In its upcoming meeting the UA plans to address and discuss the campus climate committee's statement on diversity and inclusion as well as key issues surrounding transportation, including the bus fare structure on campus. One of the important issues addressed by last semester's UA was student health services (including psychological and counseling services) and the allocation of resources to Gannett Health Center.

The UA (a predecessor of the 1970s' University Senate) is a governing body which is composed of 21 voting members: six undergraduate students,three graduate and/or professional students, five employees and seven faculty members. The University Assembly has legislative authority over policies which guide the activities of the departments of Transportation, Religious Affairs, Health Services and the Campus Store. The University Assembly also has legislative authority for those aspects of the conduct of members of Cornell University now covered by the Campus Code of Conduct. Moreover, the UA participates in the selection of nominees for the position of ombudsman, judicial administrator and judicial codes counselor and must concur in the president's selections for these positions.

The fact that students, employees and faculty jointly serve to represent the Cornell community is relatively unique among educational institutions. We hope that this monthly column, one that will outline the major agenda items of the UA, will enhance its ability to represent and communicate effectively the interests of its constituents. I invite you to visit our web site at www.assembly.cornell.edu to learn more about us and what is under discussion, to attend one of our monthly meetings (usually the last Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.) and/or to contact one of the UA members with your comments, suggestions or input.

This column was written by University Assembly Executive Committee member Alan D. Mathios, associate professor, Policy Analysis and Management/College of Human Ecology.